The Death Penalty and Conservatism

[Progo35]

One thing I don't understand is the idea that the death penalty is in step with the conservative agenda. To me, being "pro-life" as an absolute is especially meant to apply in situations where one may want to take the life of someone else. It is frustrating that we have to spend money to keep people who have committed heinous crimes living in tenable conditions, but that, to me, is part of the sacrifice that comes along with having pro-life principles.

Now, I don't necesssarily see those who do support the death penalty and are against abortion as full fledged hypocrites, as they're making a distinction between the principle of protecting innocent life and the principle of protecting society by harshly punishing murderers. But, it bothers me to see the death penalty advocated by some on the conservative side of things.

[Alecto]

I see them as hypocrites if they call their stance "pro-life". If they had a different name for it, fine, but if you're going to be pro-life, be pro-life.

It's the same irony that I find in the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force being more inclusive of transfolk than the HUMAN Rights Campaign.

As for the money involved in keeping folks alive: most often, it is actually usually less expensive to keep them alive than it is for the legal costs in executing them. So even if financial expense were a good reason to kill people, it still doesn't hold up.

Or, in short ::nods in agreement::

[tpdncr4christ]

My stance on the whole thing is all about "Thou shalt not kill" rather than pro-life. I believe that life is the greatest gift God gave us and for anyone to take it away is one of the most horrible things you could do to another person. I find no instance where the taking of a human life in any shape or form is acceptable. I understand that situations sometimes require defense, and that accidents do happen, but when the taking of a life can be prevented, by God prevent it. That goes for abortions, the death penalty and war especially. Every human, regardless of beliefs and values, culture orientation or religion, every human deserves the right to life. That's my position on it.

[TigerXero]

My stance on the whole thing is all about "Thou shalt not kill" rather than pro-life. I believe that life is the greatest gift God gave us and for anyone to take it away is one of the most horrible things you could do to another person. I find no instance where the taking of a human life in any shape or form is acceptable. I understand that situations sometimes require defense, and that accidents do happen, but when the taking of a life can be prevented, by God prevent it. That goes for abortions, the death penalty and war especially. Every human, regardless of beliefs and values, culture orientation or religion, every human deserves the right to life. That's my position on it.

This sounds like a TRUE pro-life position.